Certifiably Microsoft

Microsoft yesterday unveiled its Certified for Windows 2000 program, an effort to certify that Windows 2000 applications built by independent software vendors and corporate developers meet reliability, security, and manageability standards.

Microsoft also disclosed that it has been working with Rational Software Corp. and VeriTest Inc. to develop testing services and automated tools to build applications that meet those specifications.

In June, Microsoft unveiled the Application Specification for Windows 2000, technical guidelines for developing highly reliable and manageable applications for the Windows 2000 operating system, which is due to ship by year's end. Rational will provide its Rational TestFoundation for Windows 2000 to automate testing for compliance with the guidelines, while VeriTest will offer compliance testing services for vendors that want to obtain a "Certified for Windows" logo for their products.

Microsoft yesterday also launched a program that will provide development technology and services to independent software vendors who want to tightly integrate their products with Microsoft's Visual Studio development tool set. Participating companies include Baan, Compuware, Rational, Seagate, Wall Data, and Mercury Interactive.